Anyone else love milkshakes as much as I do? I’m asking because I’ve made you one that tastes EXACTLY like that delicious minty chocolate chip one from you know where (BIG M).
I will let you in on a little secret: Tony is OBSESSED with McDonald’s; I can’t get him to stop eating it. In fact, I think he eats quite a bit of it when I’m not around. Quite disturbing for someone who runs a health-focused food blog, right?!
I guess opposites really do attract? Or something like that anyway haha.
But now I have to tell you my own little secret: Sometimes I can’t blame him because OMG have you EVER had their milkshakes or ice cream? Honestly, SO good. Lee and I talk about how we love fast food ice cream all the time. #weakness
I’m not saying you should swing through the drive-thru or anything, but every once in a while a creamy-dreamy ice cream cone from Mickey D’s is DEELISH. And if you were anything like me as a kid, you may have eaten there quite a few times (possibly for their toys). It was kind of like a little tradition I used to have with my Dad on Sunday afternoons.
As soon as I created this smoothie, it reminded me of the Shamrock shake they sell once a year. BUT guess what? This one is packed with so many good for you ingredients, it basically tastes like dessert for breakfast. Damn, I love when that happens.
What are the ingredients in this cacao nib green smoothie?
Bananas: Make sure yours are frozen for the ultimate creamy and sweet smoothie. I like to get my bananas extra ripe, then peel them and stick them in plastic bags. You can also slice them before freezing if that’s easier for you!
Spinach: This is called a green smoothie for a reason! Each serving packs delicious green spinach, except guess what? It doesn’t taste like spinach at all. Yep, get your greens in without actually tasting them. It’s the best, really.
Almond milk: We’re keepin’ it dairy free. I enjoy almond milk for so many reasons, especially for the nutritional benefits and vitamins. Plus you’ll notice that almond milk has less sugar and carbs then dairy milk. All wins.
Protein powder: I usually use a good vanilla whey protein powder, but you can use a plant based one too! Chocolate would be delicious FOR SURE.
Mint leaves: This is what gives the smoothie that minty flavor we all love. If you don’t have mint leaves, you can sub 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of mint extract. Trust me, you won’t need any more than that!
Cacao nibs: I recently picked up some nibs at the grocery store and have been completely in love with them ever since. They have a deep, roasted flavor and are considered to be nature’s chocolate chips because they are made from pure cacao beans. They are an excellent source of antioxidants, fiber and iron. Oh and did you know that they are actually one of nature’s richest dietary sources of magnesium? (source: Navita’s Naturals)
Note about the Cacao nibs: You can order them online here, or you can typically find them at a health foods store such as Whole Foods.
Obviously all of these ingredients = one lovely superfood minty cacao nib green smoothie. I’ve been enjoying it as a post workout drink or as a snack in the afternoon. If you make this recipe, take a picture and tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram. xoxo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Superfood Mint Cacao Nib Protein Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 frozen bananas, diced
- 1 cup packed organic spinach leaves
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 scoops protein powder of choice (I use vanilla)
- 10 mint leaves OR 1/4 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons Cacao nibs (or vegan chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients besides cocoa nibs in a blender and blend on high until ingredients are smooth and well combined.
- Next, add cacao nibs to the blender and pulse a few times until they slightly break up in the smoothie. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.
Can this be made using raw spinach leaves instead of “packed” spinach? Or is that the same thing? Sorry, I am a newbie 🤦🏻♀️
Hi! It means that 1 cup of raw spinach leaves are packed into a measuring cup. Sorry if that was confusing!
This smoothie is amazing! Can’t stop making it because it tastes like an actual milkshake.
So glad you love it!
UM wow, did I just drink a mint chocolate chip milkshake for breakfast? And feel good about it?!?! I had vegan chocolate chips on hand but glad I bought some cocoa nibs they give it such a satisfying crunch! I might try adding just a drop of peppermint extract next time because my mint plant produces pretty small leaves and I used ten (for one serving) and I wanted a little more minty flavor. Probably more of a gardening error than anything. Delicious!
So delicious! And yes feel free to add a bit of peppermint extract, too 🙂
I just made this and it was so refreshing! I cut the recipe in half to make one smoothie, but I accidentally forgot to half the mint extract so it was a little too minty haha (I didn’t realize mint extract was so strong!) but I still loved it.
I also omitted the protein powder and it still turned out great!
So glad you enjoyed! And yes, I’d recommend halving it next time 😉
Could I make this without the protein powder? Unfortunately I do not have it on hand 🙁
Can you use something other than banana and still achieve the great taste? I try to avoid anything banana, but I loooooove mint chocolate. I would still like the reap the benefits, but without the crazy strong banana flavor.
Frozen peaches?!
I’ve made this 3 times now. I love it. I use Kale instead of spinach because that’s what I had. Also, this most recent time I switched out the T of nibs for a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Not quite as good, but helped my macros. Thank you!
Delicious smoothie!!! Looks much better than any fast food one!!
OMG yum! Mint chip ice cream is my faveeee, but in smoothie form and healthy? I’m all over this.
Omg, ice cream is totally my weakness too! I blame my Nana. She used to let us have at least two, if not three cones a day sometimes when we stayed at her house! 🙂 Grandparents are the best.
And I love that you used cacao nibs!! I’m going to have to try them into my morning shake tomorrow… I’m always afraid they won’t grind up, but I am giving it a shot!
Totally making this but firstly, got to get one of those vanilla cones. Way to spark a craving 😛
So funny about Tony – my fiance Anthony is the same way. I come home and find bags from McDonalds, etc. in our trash and he is busted! He is definitely a sucker for fast food milk shakes too – I honestly don’t know how he is still in good shape. I will second the “opposites attract” since I am vegan and am always eating healthy! It feels like my life’s work sometimes is to help him eat healthier haha. Surprisingly enough he will eat my healthy vegan meals too, but I know he is a “meat and potatoes” man at heart so I appreciate when he tries to eat better.
i am for sure making this shake tonight for the two of us! Only it will be my little secret that it is a “superfood” shake! 😉 Thanks Monique! <3
YUM! Mint chocolate is my FAVORITE! I am TOTALLY trying this!
Let’s drink these after yoga this summer. Oh yeah, and I signed up for Core Power so we’re going again 🙂
Yes! Let me know if you try sculpt.
This looks beautiful! I love mint, cacao and spinach! 😛
These look like a perfect way to refuel after a long workout!